Culture & Jobs at Duo Security

In 2010, two years after the auto industry’s recession, the unemployment rate in Detroit reached a staggering 24.9%. At the time one major industry was facing survival, others were taking a bet on technology and innovation as the future of Detroit’s economy. 

Software as a service is no longer a new idea — but it still packs a big punch in the way we do things. From construction to healthcare, SaaS companies are making a big impact on society and making it easier to get work done so we can spend more time building relationships, connecting with our communities, and making customers happy! 

New year, new you! We’ve been hearing this sentiment a lot in the past few weeks and have probably heard it every year since we can consciously remember. Many of us take time at the end of each year to establish goals for the new year — and many of those goals are wellness-focused. 

This year has certainly had its share of ups and downs. It’s true that the Midwest isn’t totally immune to the widespread tech layoffs that are happening on the coasts, but overall the Midwest tech community is still going strong. Times might be tough. Our community is tougher. 

This time of year we like to take a moment to reflect on giving back to the community. One of the biggest themes of giving back in the startup world is returning the love to the people and the planet that provides support when you’re getting started.   As part of this reflection, we’d like to bring to light a few companies that keep the community and our environment top of mind. 

Ann Arbor is a growing hub for startup and tech companies. With a top university growing and supporting entrepreneurs, major tech companies like Google with hubs in the city, and a culture for innovation, Ann Arbor has some amazing places to work in the startup and tech ecosystem. 

The Midwest is a growing hub for cybersecurity companies. With major startup successes like Duo Security and well established companies like Batelle located in the region, it’s been fertile ground for a variety of cybersecurity startups. 

Ann Arbor continues to be one of the top growing tech ecosystems around the country with some great hiring tech companies. A combination of university talent pipelines, top-rated quality of life, a growing startup ecosystem, and growing VC funding has Tree Town topping lists as one of the best places to start a tech company or find a top tech job. 

Two cybersecurity startups in Ann Arbor and Detroit today announced new funding rounds. 

Americans are leaving their jobs in record numbers to search for something better. So when it comes to the best places to work in 2022, what does that look like?

Americans are leaving their jobs in record numbers to search for something better. So when it comes to the best places to work in 2022, what does that look like?

When people think of Detroit, their first thought typically isn’t technology. They think of Henry Ford’s Model T, our history of automotive innovation, and maybe even our reputation for advanced manufacturing—but rarely our tech ecosystem.

The last two years changed a lot about business, particularly in the tech and startup space. In the Midwest, things are changing even more rapidly. We caught up with just a few of many Midwest tech leaders based in Michigan to ask them for their insights on the emerging trends in Midwest tech.

As the old saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was Silicon Valley, nor the Silicon Prairie. 

The list is out for 2023 — check out the Top Ann Arbor Tech Companies & Startups to Watch in 2023   Ann Arbor continues to be one of the top growing tech ecosystems around the country with some of the best startups to watch. A combination of university talent pipelines, top-rated quality of life, growing startup ecosystem, and growing VC funding has Tree Town topping lists as one of the best places to start a tech company or find a top tech job. 

The list is out for 2023 — check out the Top Detroit Startups to Watch in 2023   Michigan is now the state with the highest growth in VC investment. Now many Detroit startups are on the fast track to growth. Whether it’s new funding, expansions or IPOs, it’s been an eventful year in Detroit startups. Next year is looking even better.

When you think about tech hubs, do you think of the Midwest? Ten years ago, most people didn’t. And right now, many people still think of Silicon Valley, New York City, Boston, maybe even Austin now as a place to go for tech. 

Company Benefits are evolving like never before, and in-demand tech and startup workers are looking for new types of employee benefits, culture, and purpose.

During the pandemic, many people who moved back with family moved to the Midwest, and if you did that’s not bad news for your career. 

Ann Arbor as a tech ecosystem has grown leaps and bounds over the last few years with major acquisitions of Duo Security and Llamasoft and the rise of new, cutting-edge startups. An entrepreneurial ripple effect is starting to highlight the power of the startup community. And it's not slowing down. 

From content marketing and SEO jobs to growth marketing, Midwest tech startups have a growing number of job opportunities for marketing professionals. And the Midwest is also home to a growing number of marketing and media startups. 

Are you interested in a product job at a tech startup? You might only think of the coasts when it comes to product, because historically the Midwest tech scene was focused on IT and engineering. 

It’s been over a year since the murder of George Floyd launched the country into a time of racial reckoning. For many, it was more than a moment (to quote Hamilton, “this is not a moment, it’s the movement.”) But for many, momentum has fallen. 

A place that was once known as Test City, USA, due to its close resemblance to the overall population and preferences of our country as a whole, is now the 14th largest city in the US and growing. Many people know Columbus, Ohio, as the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes or as the capital of a state that produced 8 US presidents. However, some things that the general population may not know is that Columbus is within 500 miles of 50% of the US population, was home to the first woman to fly around the world,

It’s no secret that one successful startup can birth many more. In Detroit, this phenomenon is starting to take off with multiple startups beginning out of a growing number of successful home-grown tech companies. 

Many companies are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic with a hybrid work model, meaning some employees will return to the office at least part-time, but others will collaborate remotely. Navigating what this working plan actually looks like can be tricky. When — and where — can your team get together? 

Companies everywhere are hiring for remote jobs.

On April 13th, we hosted the Midwest Startup & Tech Virtual Career Fair: Best Places To Work. We had tons of companies join and hundreds of jobs seekers. But if you missed the event and are looking for a job in tech—whether that’s in software engineering, marketing, people, product, sales, or other—don't worry. You can still apply to jobs at these amazing companies.

Entrepreneurs are artists that produce at scale.

Diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging. It's something many startups and tech companies say they value and are actively working on. But the truth is, not all of them are walking the walk. 

The list is out for 2022 — check out the Top Ann Arbor Tech Companies & Startups to Watch in 2022   Ann Arbor is perfectly positioned to be one of the best cities for tech jobs. Not just in the Midwest, but in the country. 

There’s no doubt that 2020 will go down in the history books. A once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, a national reckoning with racial injustice, record unemployment, a divisive election, and a lot of other news that seems so small compared to everything else. 

AaDya Security just announced that they’ve closed a $2.7 million funding round, led by Firebrand Ventures (Kansas City, Mo.), 645 Ventures (NYC), and Next Coast Ventures (Austin, Texas).

Yes. You read that title right. Top tech companies are hiring—right now. Woot woot, cue the happy dance. 

“It’s just a job description. It’s not a big deal.”

With the rise of remote work becoming more and more common, even at coastal tech giants like Facebook and Twitter, people are looking at the Midwest in a whole new light. 

“Our small city of freaks and geeks, fast learners, and team players has been a crucible for startups,” said Dug Song, Co-founder & General Manager of Duo Security at Cisco. 

We’ll be the first to say that we are always learning. That’s what we do at startups—we listen, learn, think, embrace new ideas, and make changes. 

On June 23rd, purpose.jobs and DVP hosted a virtual panel discussion on diversity and inclusion. We had nearly 200 people join us on Zoom from various parts of the country and even around the world.

These are unbelievably tough times for everyone, everywhere.

When Kristina Oberly left her job for an Ann Arbor tech startup, she was only the 4th hire at the company—and the only woman. 

Looking for the most recent startups to watch? Check out these lists: Top Ann Arbor Tech Companies to Watch in 2021 Top Ann Arbor Tech Companies & Startups to Watch in 2022

What are the best jobs for software engineers? And how do you really know what it’s like to work at a company before you actually work there?

Many startup companies launch with the intent of creating the perfect mix of culture and financial autonomy. Although inspiration and pure grit are necessary tools for startup success, they can't be the sole basis for a solid business plan.